Outlook: The Crusaders look battle tested and ready after their great run last spring. Walsh gives them a top-of-the-rotation starter who is big-game tested. Murphy is a solid No. 2 and Scaturchio might be the best shortstop in the league. Antonetti is a solid catcher and Pat Murphy, who was injured before tournament time last year, is a consistent stick in the lineup. Nichols said if they can avoid the injury bug which has bitten the team the last two years at certain times, they will compete. He also pointed out that the league is stocked, which means there should be no easy games, especially with the number of good pitchers that seem to be on all the top teams.

Coach's Comments: "I keep telling the kids, I think that we're pretty good but I also think it's the toughest that I've ever seen the league from a pitching standpoint in 30 years. I cannot recall this many Division I signees. I'm cautiously optimistic because there are things we can't control like injuries. The other thing is that when we play Staples, or when we play Wilton, or when we play Greenwich, are we going to be matched up with their best?"